Informix OnLine Database, Backup, and Changing Size

Two methods are available for backup and retrieval of your Cisco StrataView Plus (SV+) Informix OnLine database. They are the Whole-database method and the Incremental method.

The Whole-database method backs up the entire Informix OnLine database. While this method does not perform incremental backups, it is satisfactory for databases requiring only one or two 150-megabyte tapes (the standard Sun tape). Further, this method also works when you who want to increase the size of the database.

The Incremental method allows root, first-level incremental, and second-level incremental backups. The Incremental method is recommended when you want to keep constant incremental backups, as well as when you have databases greater than 200 megabytes. This method does not work when you want to change the size of the database.

Whole-database Method

When the Informix OnLine database is either full or in danger of being full at a future date, you can create a one-time backup of the database, increase the database's size, and restore the data.

This method is also more convenient than the Incremental method for normal backing up when you have a small (200 or fewer megabytes) database and do not mind backing up the entire database at once. Proceed as follows:

Step 1 Shut down Cisco SV+ by selecting Option 2 (Stop Core) from the Cisco SV+ Main Menu.

Step 2 When you are going to change the size of your Informix OnLine database, edit the /usr/users/svplus/tbconfig file, changing the ROOTSIZE parameter to the new value.

Step 3 Either log out and log back in as user informix, or rlogin to the workstation where Cisco SV+ is installed.

Step 4 Invoke the tbunload command. For example:

host% ./tbunload -t /dev/rst0 -s 144000 stratacom

This indicates tape device rst0 and a tape size of 144 megabytes (which is appropriate for a standard 150-megabyte Sun tape). You are prompted to insert one or more additional tapes, as necessary.

Step 5 When the Informix OnLine database has been backed up, and you do not intend to restore it immediately, you are done. To change the Informix OnLine database size, proceed to Step 6. To restore the Informix OnLine database, proceed to Step 7.

Step 6 To change the size of the database, log in as user root, change directory to the /usr/users/svplus directory, and invoke the INSTALL command at the command line prompt. This re-installs the database. Typically, three files fail a checksum test: start_SV+, svmain, and stat.err. You can ignore these checksum failures, as these files do change subtly during regular use. Type Yes to the prompt asking whether the database should be erased. The following error message (which can be ignored) is displayed: "create_db: failure drop database! -371". Proceed to Step 9.

Step 7 To restore the Informix OnLine database, log in as user informix. Log in again as superuser, then change directory to the /usr/users/svplus directory.

Step 8 You must delete the existing database. (Normally, you are restoring the old database because corruption or a disk error has occurred; therefore, the current data is not viable.) Enter the following commands:
host% ./kill_db
host% ./init_db
host% ./ create_db

Step 9 Log out as superuser. You are once again logged in as user informix. Change directory to the /usr/users/informix72 directory, then invoke the dbaccess command. The dbaccess program, like other Informix OnLine maintenance programs, provides menu items at the top of the screen. You select a menu option by moving to it using the left and right arrow keys, and then pressing <RETURN>, or by typing the first letter of the option. Select Database (either by pressing D or by pressing the right arrow key to Database and then hitting <RETURN>). Next, select Drop. One database is listed. It is called stratacom. Press <RETURN> to select it. Confirm the database drop by typing Y. You have now dropped the database. Type E twice (for Exit) and the UNIX prompt is displayed.

Step 10 You can now reload the database by using the tbload command. For example:
host% ./tbload -t /dev/rst0 -s 144000 stratacom

This indicates tape device /dev/rst0 and a tape size of 144 megabytes.

Step 11 You can now log back in as user svplus and run the Cisco SV+ product with the restored database.

Incremental Method

For larger databases, or databases for which you would prefer incremental backups, the archive process used by the Informix OnLine tbmonitor program is recommended. Running this program provides menus similar to those provided by the dbaccess program.

For archiving, the Cisco SV+ program can continue to run. You must first open a terminal window, for example a C-shell window.

Step 1 Remotely login (rlogin) as user informix to the workstation where Cisco SV+ is installed.

Step 2 Invoke the tbmonitor command:
host% ./tbmonitor

Step 3 Select A for Archive, then T for Tape-Parameters. In the tape size field, specify the number, in kilobytes, of the size of your tape. (144000 is correct for the standard 150-megabyte Sun tape.) Press <ESC> then C to select Create.

Step 4 You are prompted to insert a tape. You are then asked whether this is a level 0, 1, or 2 archive. Level 0 archives collect the entire database. Level 1 archives capture everything since the last level 0 archive. Level 2 archives capture everything since the last level 1 archive. Select the desired archive level. Note, the first time you do an incremental backup, you must select level 0.

Step 5 A highlighted line is displayed indicating the size of the Informix OnLine database space. This is always the total size configured for the database, not the amount of data in the Informix OnLine database. Press <control-B> to continue. When more than one tape is required, you are prompted to load the subsequent tapes. At the end, answer N to the prompt about backing up logs. When back at the Archive menu, press E (Exit) twice and log out as user informix. Your Informix OnLine database is now backed up. Instructions for restoring the archive begin with Step 6.

Step 6 When you want to restore an archive, Cisco SV+ cannot be running. Also note, the entire database is replaced with the archived data, so any non-archived data does not remain after the restoration. Stop Cisco SV+ by specifying Option 2 (Stop Core) at the Cisco SV+ Main Menu.

Step 7 Remotely login (rlogin) as user informix to the workstation where Cisco SV+ is installed.

Step 8 Invoke the tbmonitor command:
host% ./tbmonitor

Step 9 The Informix OnLine database must be off-line for a restoration. Select M (for Mode), then T (for Take-Offline), and then type E (for Exit) to return to the Main menu. The Informix OnLine database is now in off-line mode.

Step 10 Select A (for Archive) and then R (for Restore) from the Main menu. When you are restoring a level 2 archive, you also must restore levels 0 and 1 corresponding to that archive. When you are restoring a level 1 archive, you also must restore level 0. When you are restoring a level 0 archive, you only must restore the level 0 tape(s).

Step 11 Insert the level 0 tape first, then press <control-B> when ready, then answer Y to the "Do you have another level to restore" question, when you wish to restore higher-level archives as well. Continue this process with higher-level archives, when you wish to restore them. When back at the Archive menu, enter E (for Exit) to return to the Main menu.

The Informix OnLine database is now in quiescent mode. Enter M (for Mode), then O (for On-Line), and then E (for Exit) twice to exit the tbmonitor program. Log out as user informix. You can now restart Cisco SV+ with the restored data.

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